Trace-carrier



H. D. 4EASTLY.

TRACE- CARRIER. APPLICATION nuzn APR. 1. 1920.

1,381,812. Patented June 14,1921.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY n. EASTLY, orKENNEBEc, SOUTH DAKOTA.

TRACE-CARRIER.

Application filed April 1, 1920. Serial No.

T 0 all 111 homit may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY D. Ens'rnv, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kennebec, in the county of Lyman and State of South Dakota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Carriers; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in trace carriers having novelmeans for engaging and supporting cockeyes of trace straps.

An important object of this invention resides in the provision of a tace carrier including means for supporting the cockeyes of trace strapsand means resiliently retained in engagement with the supporting meansto prevent accidental removal or disengagement of the cockeyes.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a trace carrierincluding supporting members for the cockeyes of trace straps andresilient means for locking the cockeyes upon the supporting meanstherefor.

The invention has for a still further object, the provision of a tracecarrier of the above stated character which will be of extremely simpleand inexpensive construction, highly eiiicient in use and which will beformed in such a manner that the cockeyes may be readily engaged uponthe supports therefor or removed, as desiredf With the foregoing andother objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, theinvention consists in the novel construction, combination andarrangement of cooperating parts as hereinafter more specifically setforth, claimed and shown on the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a plan view of my improved trace carrier and associatedelements.

Fig. 2 is a section taken through the device as shown on line 2-2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the device, at a right angle toFig. 2.

Fig. 4: is a vertical section taken on line 4.-t of Fig. 2.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred form of the invention, similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views. The frame 5 maySpecification of Letters'latent.

. be of the form shown in Patented June 14,1921.

thedrawings or any other suitable shape and curved or fiat. as desired.The frame 5 carries at diamet rically opposite points outstanding earshav ing attaching openings 6 adapted for the reception of breeching,back and crupper straps. An arch, 7 is connected at its ends to theframe 5 and extended transversely thereof, the radial portion or centralpart of the arch 7 preferably being flattened, as shown clearly in Fig.3 of the drawings. The arch 7 is provided centrally with a depending lugS, as will also be readily understood by referring to Figs. 2 and E3 ofthe drawings.

The frame 5 carries a pair of diametrically opposite upstanding orupright posts 10, preferably to the opposite side of the frame and overwhich may be readily engaged or disengaged the cockeyes of the traces.

In order to prevent the cockeyes of the traces from working oil of thepost 10 accidentally and yet permit of ready engagement of the cockeyeswith or disengagement of the cockeyes from the posts, as desired, asuitable means must be provided to accomplish this foremost object ofthe invention. While it may be accomplished in a number of difi'erentways, I have provided in this case a straight resilient bar or fiatspring member 9 which is pivoted centrally to the depending lug 8, onone side thereof and as the lug 8 is in alinement with the posts 10, theextended ends of the resilient bar 9 are normally engaged against oneside of the post 10 adjacent their upper free curved ends 11, as shownin the drawings. The free ends of the resilient bar or flat springmember 9 are also curved or beveled as shown at 12. The purpose ofcurving the ends 11 of the post 10 and of the ends 12 of the resilientbar or spring member 9 is to prevent other parts of the harness fromcatching thereon, particularly the reins.

It will be evident to parties familiar with this art that by employingsome retaining member such as the resilient bar or flat spring member 9to engage the posts 10 above the cockeye of the traces, these memberswill be prevented from accidentally working oil of the post 10. At thesame time, the cockeyes may be readily engaged upon or removed from thepost 10 by turning the cockeyes adjacent the upper ends of the post 10and forcing the free ends of the resilient bar or flat spring member 9away i from the post 10 until the cockeyes are engaged on said post 10orremoved therefrom as the case may be.- It will be evident that someother suitable retaining member or mechanism may be'provided toaccomplish this purpose, if desired. It will also be evident that manyminor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of partsmay be resorted to within the scope of what is claimed without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is 1- r A trace carrier comprising a frame havingopposite upstanding posts formed therewith and provided with flat sidefaces, an arch extending across said frame and formed as a part thereof,said arch being extended across the frame between said posts, and a flatspring member extended transversely beneath the center of said arch andpivotally connected thereto at the central portion of said springmember, saidflat spring memher being positioned with its narrow edgesupwardly and downwardly and with the end portions of one of the flatsides thereof resiliently contacting-with flat side faces of saidupstanding posts adjacent the upper.

frame, said frame being curved to conform to the body of a draft animal.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY D. EASTLY.

WVitnesses:

ARTHUR L. FnnELovn,

FRANK SCARLOTT.

